Stereotype-casting box.



C. E. HOPKINS.

STEREOTYP-E CASTING BOX. APPLICATION FILED AUG.18, 19H. RENEWED JUNE 22. 1916.

1,221,537., Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Wit/mm: E J 5 9 9km?" QW MM C. E. HOPKINS.

STEREOTYPE CASTlNG BOX. APPLICATION FILED Auszui, x911. RENEWED JUNE 22v I916.

1,221,531, Patented Apn 3,1917.

#SHEETS-SHEET 2.

65mm Hap/ram.

C. E. HOPKINS.

' STEREOTYPE CASTING BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I8, 19H. RENEWED JUNE 22. I916.

1,22 1 ,537 Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. E. HOPKINS.

STEREOTYPE CASTING BOX. APPLICATION FILED AUG.18. 19H. RENEWED JUNE 22. I916.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ca. PNOm-LITMQ, wAsnmamn. n. c.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STEREOTYPE-CASTING BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3 1917.

Application filed August 18, 1911, Serial No. 64:4,874. Renewed June 22, 1916. Serial No. 105,237.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. Hormns, a. citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of. New Yorkand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Stereotype-Casting Box, of which the following is a specification.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide an improved and simplified machine for casting curved stereotype printing plates in which the concave drag or matrixholding portion of the mold is movable by a continuous turning movement from a substantially vertical casting position to a substantially horizontal position; to provide means whereby during this movement the matrix clamps will automatically move away from the matrix and the concavity of the drag to free the matrix; to provide means for closing the bottom of the casting chamber of such character as to form a bevel on the lower end of the stereotype plate and so arranged that it will automatically rise sufficiently to release that edge of the matrix bolster which the half ring overlaps and remove .the weight of the stereotype plate from the matrix; and to provide a simple and a quick acting means for simultaneously extracting the plate from the drag and stripping it from the matrix Without removing the matrix from the drag and without necessitating resting the plate upon a separate support and performing a separate matrix removing operation. This means preferably is in the form of a treadle-operated means of a simple and convenient form for revolving the stereotype plate through a portion of a revolution along the concave surface of the drag so that the operator can easily release the matrix and lift the plate free therefrom and the co-acting sheet metal pouring sheet or tail piece and then raise itout of the drag while these parts are supported by the drag.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a side view. of a casting box constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the drag open with the stereotype plate partially pushed out ready to be removed from the matrix and drag.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side view with the parts nearly in casting position.

Fig. 4: is a plan thereof with the parts in the same position shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the drag showing the raising of the half ring to free the plate and matrix from the drags concavity.

Fig. 6 is an end view of a detail.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the same, and

Fig. 8 is an end view of the plate ejector in a different position from that shown in Fig. 2.

The invention is shown as applied to a simple type of casting box in which the parts are mounted on side frames 2 connected by a cross frame 3. The convex core or cope 4c is supported in a stationary vertical position on these frames and is provided preferably with the usual grooves 5 for forming ribs on the concave surface of the stereotype plate when cast. It is provided preferably with the usual chamber through which water can circulate for the purpose of readily cooling to solidify the plate.

The drag or matrix supporting box 6 is concave as usual to fit the cope and form a casting chamber between them suitable for making the usual curved stereotype plates. Mounted on each side of the drag are rollers 7 which run on tracks 8 formed on the side frames 2. Fastened to the lower end of the drag are brackets 9 carrying rollers 10 which operate in a vertical cam way 11, one in each side frame 2 opposite the sides of the cope. By this construction, it will be seen that the drag is carried by the rollers 7 and guided by the rollers 10, and that'it will thus be caused to have a continuous turning and advancing movement. Owin to the location of the rollers 10 considerably below the bottom of the casting chamber, that is, beyond the end of the drag, the pivotal motion of the drag from the cope takes place along an arc of relatively long radius. Therefore the ribs cast on the plate can be freed from the grooves in the mold without the necessity of the straight-away movement which has been regarded as such a vital feature in this class of casting machines. The drag is manipulated by means of a handle 12 on one side thereof near the top.

The drag also is provided with another pair of rollers 13 attached to each side near the pouring end. Pivotally mounted on the cope in suitable position are a pair of cams hereinafter. The usual sheet metal pouring sheet or tail piece 18 is positioned on the upper endr of the drag so asto overlap the matrix bolster 19 forjthe usual purpose.

7 The drag is provided with a half ring 20 located at the end toward the cope. This is made with an angle 21-on one edge for the purpose of 101111111 2" a correspondmg bevel on the edge of the cast plate. lhe half ring also 1s recessed at on that side of itsrconvex face next the matrix to allow the bolster 19 to enter. It is provided also With an extending rmg 23 which operates in a recess 21 in the concave side of the drag and holds the ring in position. Anextension 25 fast to the middle of the ring 20 is connected with one end of a lever 26 pivoted to the drag. The opposite end of this lever engages a stop 27 fixed to one of the side frames when the drag is brought over into horizontal position. This causes the lever to swlng and the half ring to rise to automatically. This lifts the end of the 7 cast stereotype plate free from that end of V the drag and matrlx.

The matrix clamps 30 for engaging the straight edges of the drag have lips 31 which when in casting posltion extend down into the concave side of the drag and over the straight bolsters of-the-flexible matrix Their lower ends also abut against the casting face of the bottom half. ring 20. They are pivoted on longitudinal axes at 33 so as to be capable of this swinging operation. Each is'provided also with an extending finger 35 which, as the drag is nearing its horizontal position, engages an extension 36 on a braclret 37 fast on the side of each frame 2. Thus, as the turning motion'of the drag continues, these matrix clamps are caused to turn automatically on their pivots into the positionshown in F1gs. 1 and 2.

In order to return these clamps to closed position for the purpose ofpositioning the matrix, the operator slightly tips the drag 1 toward the cope until the extending fingers 35 move far enough away from the exten- 810118 36 on the brackets 37 to allow the matrix clamps to swing down into operative position at the edge of the drag.

A very important feature of this invention is the provision of means for ejecting the stereotype plates 50, so that the operator can strip the matrix free from the type face of each plate without "handling either one "separately. The form of the invention illustrated for this purpose comprises an ejector stO' havingga notched end 11; This is adapted in use to engage the straight edge of the stereotype plate and turn it along the concave surface of the drag to swing it up into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. #For this purpose the ejector is pivotally connected to a lever -12 which is pivoted on a bracket 4-3 fast to one of the side frames 2. A connecting rod 11 connects the lever 1-2- with a foot treadle 4-15 pivoted to the side frame 2. The connecting rod is normally held in raised position by a spring 16 which also holds the ejector in the position shown in Fig. 8 out of the line of travel of the drag when moving from horizontal to cast ing position. The knee joint -17 between the lever 12 and the ejector is provided with a spring 48 for holding the ejector normall in closed position when not in action.

The operation is very simple. Starting with the drag in horizontal position, the operator places the flexible matrix 39 in the concave surface thereof and pushes the matrix bolster 19 beneath the raised bottom half ring 20. Then he positions the loose metal'pouring sheet or tail piece 18 so that it overlaps the opposite matrix bolster. Then he tips the drag slightly, thereby causing the said matrix clamps 30 to turn on their pivots and their jaws or lips 31 to overlap the-straight side bolsters of the mac trix. As the matrix is 110w firmly positioned in the drag the operator grasps the handle 12 and gives it a sudden upward and forward pull. This causes the drag to turn toward the vertical position and into work ing contact with the cope. During this motion the rollers 13 on the drag engage the openings of the cam groove 16. The sudden engagement of these rollers with the cams causes the cams to turn suddenly and the weight of the lever 17 moving forward. forces the cams into locked position. Referring to Fig. 3, these rollers are just entering the cam grooves and the sudden force supplied in this way swings the cams around to the left. After the handle passes the 'vertical, its weight also assists in bringing the cams around and finally the cams are locked in the position in which the rollers are nearest to the shaft 15, which is locked position.

To open the mold the operator grasps the handle 17 and forces it back into the position shown in Fig. 3. This obviously forces the rollers 13 to the left and frees the castplate in the drag from the core. Then the operator grasps the handle 12, pulls back and'down on it and draws the drag down to horizontal position which causes the rollers 7 to run back on the tracks 8 and the rollers 10 to rise in the cam way 11. This, as hereinafter explained, automatically lifts the bottom half ring 20 to bring the cast plate up at one end as shown in Fig. 5, free from the castmg chamber and also automatically releases the side clamps 30 by bringing the fingers 35 up into contact with the extensions 36 as above explained and as shown in Fig. 2. The drag now being in its final horizontal position, the operator steps on the treadle l5 and operates the ejector as described, and as shown in Fig. 2 particularly. This brings the plate up where it can be grasped by the operator and removed without removing the matrix.

It is to be observed therefore that the operation of the bottom half ring and side clamps to release the plate from the matrix and the matrix from the drag are automatic and due to the motion of the drag itself, and that the ejector is operated separately, but is left in position ready to be operated by the motion of the drag. In this way the cast plate is not only released, but drawn half-way out of the casting box into convenient position for further manipulation in a very simple way. Thus the delay in stripping the matrix is entirely avoided, and

the time required for the entire operation is very materially reduced.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein within the scope of the claims without departing from the invention. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but

What I do claim is 1. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of two members together constituting the box, one movable toward and from the other, a cam pivoted on one of said members and having an eccentric groove, the portion of the groove of greatest eccentricity having an open mouth proj ecting toward the other member, and means carried by said other member'for entering the open mouth of the groove and turning the cam as one member moves toward the other member.

2. In a stereotype casting box, the combi nation with a cope, of a drag movable against the cope, a cam pivoted on the cope and having an eccentric groove, the portion of the groove of greatest eccentricity having an open mouth projecting toward the drag, and means on the drag for entering the open mouth of the groove and turning the cam as the drag moves toward the cope.

3. In a stereotype casting box, the combination with an upright cope, of a drag movable from a substantially horizontal position part way between the top and bottom of the cope to a substantially upright position against the cope, a cam pivoted on the cope and having an eccentric groove, the portion of the groove of greatest eccentricity having an open mouth projecting toward the drag, and means on the drag nation of a cope, a drag supported in front of the cope and movable away from the cope to horizontal position, matrix clamps pivoted to the straight sides of the drag, and means whereby the clamps are caused to move on their pivots away from the drag as the drag turns to a horizontal position.

5. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of a cope, a drag movable toward and from the cope, a set of matrix clamps on the d ag having extending fingers, and means located in stationary position for engaging said fingers and opening the clamps when the drag is moving in a certain direction.

6. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of a cope and drag, one being aranged to move away from the other, matrix clamps pivoted to the sides of one of said members, and stationary means whereby the clamps are caused to move on their pivots to release the matrix as the movable member moves away from the stationary memher.

7. In a stereotype casting box, the combination with acope and a drag movable from the cope for delivering the cast plate, of movable matrix clamps on the drag, means for opening the clamps automatically as the drag is turned to free the matrix, and means for automatically and simultaneously moving one end of the cast plate from the drag at that end.

8. In a stereotype casting box, the combination with an upright cope, and a drag movable from an upright position against the cope to a horizontal position for delivering the cast plate, of movable matrix clamps on the drag, means for opening the clamps automatically as the drag is turned to free the matrix, and means for automatically and simultaneously raising one end of the cast plate as the drag is turned to separate the cast plate from the drag at that end.

9. In a stereotyp casting box, the combination of a cope, a drag mounted so as to be movable away from the cope, matrix clamps pivoted to the sides of the drag for holding a matrix therein, and means whereby the clamps are caused to move on their pivots away from the drag to release the matrix as the drag moves away from the cope.

10. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of a cope, a drag supported in front of the cope and movable away from said cope from vertical to horizontal position, a bottom half ring in the drag,'and means whereby the ring is caused to rise vertically and lift one end of the cast plate resting in the drag as the drag turns away from the vertical cope to horizontal position.

11. In a stereotype casting box, thecombin-a-tion of a cope, a drag movable toward and from the cope, a bottom half ring in the drag, a lever connected with said ring for hftm'g 1t,'and stationary means in positlon for operatmgthe lever as the drag 1s moved away from the cope.

I 12. In a stereotype casting box, the combmation of a cope, a drag supported in front of-the cope and movable therefrom from vertical to horizontal position, a hotautomatically freeing one end 'of the cast platefrom the drag as the drag is moved,

and means for turning the cast plate circumferentially in the drag to eject it at the side thereof.

. 14. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of a convex vertical cope, and a Copies of this patent may be obtained for and means for causing a curved stereotype plate resting in the drag to move part wayaround circinnferentially in the drag.

15. In a stereotype casting box, the combination of a concave drag, with means connected therewith for moving the cast plate circumfercntially in the drag to eject it therefrom.

16. In a stereotype casting box, the combination with a concave drag, of a pivoted arm, an ejector finger pivoted on said arm and adapted to extend down into the drag, and means for operating said arm to force the finger along the drag and push a plate from it cireumferentially.

17. In a stereotype casting box, the combination with a drag, of a pivoted arm, means for operating the arm, and an ejector finger mounted on the arm and havin a knee joint connected therewith, and a spring for holding said oint normally closed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

